CA AB1961

Enacts the Coho Salmon Habitat Enhancement Leading to Preservation (Coho HELP) Act until January 1, 2018, requiring the Director of Fish and Game to approve coho salmon habitat enhancement projects meeting specified criteria without requiring other departmental permits.

Allows project approval if projects are consistent with fish passage guidelines and recovery plans, voluntary in nature, no larger than five acres or 500 linear feet, completable within five years, and will not result in significant cumulative negative environmental impacts.

Creates the Coho Salmon Recovery Account within the Fish and Game Preservation Fund to receive donations and accept funds from public agencies, persons, and organizations for coho salmon recovery purposes.

Authorizes the Department of Fish and Game to impose fees for projects based on administrative costs, not to exceed fees for standard streambed alteration agreements of comparable cost, with fee revenues deposited into the Coho Salmon Recovery Account.

Appropriates $37,500 from the Hatchery and Inland Fisheries Fund to employ a half-time engineer position for the remainder of 2012-13 fiscal year to review projects under the act.